"You like Liam, don't you?" she asks, her voice soft.
The answer must be all over my face because Kennedy nods. We approach the classroom and I hold the door.
"Thanks," Kennedy says, walking in.
I follow behind her, the classroom half full. I make to walk towards my seat, thinking that's the end of the conversation when Kennedy says one last thing.
"Don't hurt him. Okay?" Her eyes are serious and her smile gone, and she turns around and walks to her seat, leaving me staring after her with my mouth open.
28
Liam: Tomorrow
Despite my attempts to dissuade my parents from having the Harding family over for dinner, they spontaneously invited them tonight.
I returned from school hours ago, ready to enjoy my weekend when I found Dad in the kitchen frantically marinating a chicken. Since then, I've changed out of my uniform into sweatpants and a sort-of-nice t-shirt and have spent every fifteen minutes since then checking the time. The Hardings arriving at 6:00 and that's when I'll know whether Kennedy's coming too.
My phone beeps with a message.
Curtis: I've never been a fan of racing games.
I put my nervous energy on hold as I reply.
Liam: You're just making excuses for getting your ass handed to you by your siblings.
Curtis: You don't know they're winning.
Liam: I just know.
Curtis is having a Mario Kart tournament with his siblings, which sounds much more fun than what my evening has in store. I haven't told him about the Hardings coming over, because I don't want to sound dramatic when Kennedy might not even come.
I'm folding my laundry when Mum calls me downstairs, and I check the time. A quarter to 6:00. Downstairs, I set the table while Mum and Dad contemplate what wine they should drink.
At 6:00, the doorbell rings.
"I'll get it," Mum says, hurrying to the door. I follow behind her and when she opens the door, I see Mr and Mrs Harding over her shoulder.
And behind them is Kennedy. She's wearing fancier clothes than I am — jeans and a turtleneck jumper — and her lips are pulled up in a polite smile. The five of us exchange hellos and how are yous and I'm well thank yous before Mum leads us into the dining room. The Hardings say hello to Dad and Mr and Mrs Harding enter the kitchen, asking if my parents need any help while my parents wave them off and tell them to sit down.
Which leaves Kennedy and me at the dining table.
"Hi," I say.
"Hi," Kennedy replies.
We sit down at our usual seats and soon the adults join us, and we nibble on the entrée dishes. First, we talk about Lonsdale Bay and it's easy to retell all the highlights of the trip. Everyone chuckles when I recount how Curtis and I capsized while sailing — even Kennedy. It's confusing because usually I can tell when she's faking but she seems genuinely happy.
Dinner is served and as always, the adults begin their own conversation about adulty things that sound boring as hell.
Kennedy and I glance at each other.
"I got your gift," she says as she slices through her roasted vegetables with a knife.
"Gift?" I echo.
"The cup from Etsy," she explains. "The misogyny speech cup."
I swallow a piece of chicken. "Oh, right, yeah. That was ages ago."
